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​REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

MNAFEE Fall 2023 Workshop 
November 3 - Noon - 4 p.m. - Virtual workshop via Zoom


The focus of the workshop is Relationships: The Key to ECFE 
  • How do we connect more deeply with families & colleagues?
  • How do we help families build relationships with each other?
  • How do we foster & maintain these connections?

Fall Workshop Committee Co-Chairs
  Lisa Helgestad (HelgestadL@district279.org)
  Ellen Haefner  (ehaefner@northfieldschools.org)
 
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Keynote Presentation: Better Boundaries, Better Relationships
  • Presenter: Susan Walker, Associate Professor Emeritus, Family Social Science and Education Consultant
In our work as educators, we care about everyone's well-being and will go out of our way to help as best as we can. This is a component of building trust. Yet without understanding necessary boundaries, our help may not be that helpful. We may stretch ourselves into acting as therapist, social worker, or other roles we're not trained for. Stretching ourselves beyond our limits can also be damaging to our mental, emotional and sometimes physical health (read: 'burn out'). When we understand - and act on - the value of setting boundaries in relationships with families (including our own), we're more effective educators; we're happier too. Join your fellow family education 'boundary breakers' as we talk about why it's so hard for us to set limits and enforce boundaries, and how expectations of ourselves contribute to this challenge. Together we'll discover effective ways to create and share boundaries with the important families and people in our lives and how our professional community can help us do it. 
Breakout session 1 (choose one):
  • 22-23 ECFE Needs Assessment: Key Findings, Themes, and Implications - Presenter:  Mike Brown, Education Specialist, Minnesota Department of Education
    Each year, the needs assessment submissions provides us with a wealth of information. This session covers each question in the needs assessment and its findings. Then, key themes from the narrative submissions will be discussed. Throughout, implications for programming and services will be discussed, in addition to preparation strategies for conducting this year’s assessments.

  • Building Relationships with Diverse Families in ECFE - Presenter:  Welde Dubar, Founder of Educate My Village, a non-profit organization serving West African Immigrant families in greater twin cities and a member of the National Parenting Education Network (NPEN). 
    As educators, we are tasked with the responsibility of facilitating learning that shapes the lives and future of families. This task requires a collaborative effort from both families and colleagues. When working with families of diverse backgrounds, it can be challenging to build connections that lead to lasting impact. Join me as I share three key principles that will help you form positive relationships with families that and foster connections without emptying your bucket.
Breakout session 2 (choose one):
  • Relationships – Our Foundation, THEIR Foundation - Presenter:  Dr. Sue Starks, Professor of Early Childhood Education, Concordia University – St. Paul
    Relationships are foundational to everything else that we do with and for children and families. They qualify as first things first yet can be challenging to establish and maintain without intentional, responsive effort and time.
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  • Using Reflective Problem Solving with Colleagues - Presenter:  Heather Cline, Licensed Parent Educator &, Founding Owner of Hourglass Perspectives, LLC
    During this session, I would share a Reflective Problem Solving tool which colleagues can use for processing together in a variety of ways. Some examples of application include: - Debriefing productively with an individual or team following an incident or challenging situation - Discussing a book, podcast, implementation plan, or other resource as a team - Making a decision or navigating a change within the group or organization Reflective Problem Solving includes many benefits for colleagues working together, including the promotion of self-awareness, perspective-taking, empathy, and connection. Most of the time during this session will be focused on the chance for participants to examine the tool, and determining how it will be most applicable to them and their professional team. Each participant will receive a copy of the tool along with instructions for use.
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Download workshop flyer.
What others have said about attending past MNAFEE Fall workshops.
The most useful part of the workshop was...
  • "Ideas for teaching virtually, helping our program be more accessible online, identifying barriers related to access and equity that we can help overcome for both teachers and families, technology training, supporting each other as we are all in a new role."
  • "The different approaches, strategies, implementations were so helpful and different from district to district."
  • "I loved the small groups......nice to connect on a more intimate level." 
  • "The reflective dialog exercises helped remind me that others may not always see things the way I do. Appreciate differences and the value they bring to parent discussion!"​
  • "The lesson plans are so helpful to see. The video was amazing and I hope to use bits of everything."​